On the same day that MS NOW host Joe Scarborough suggested that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s “humiliating” performances at press conferences might compel Donald Trump to replace him, The Hill is reporting that the former Fox News personality has grown increasingly “uncomfortable" with his fate in the administration.
According to The Hill's Filip Timotija, "A simmering battle for influence between Pete Hegseth and the Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has reached new heights with the Defense secretary's purge of senior Army officials last week."
The roots of Hegseth's paranoia trace back to perceived slights. Driscoll was selected by Trump last year to negotiate with Ukrainian officials in hopes of ending the Russia-Ukraine war — a high-profile diplomatic assignment that positioned the Army Secretary as a potential rival for influence. A current U.S. official said Hegseth's "paranoia" has been heightened in recent weeks as the president has fired two Cabinet officials, creating a lethal atmosphere where anyone could be next.
"He's just really uncomfortable with anyone who could potentially be outshining him," the official told The Hill.
To neutralize the threat, Hegseth has launched a systematic campaign to undermine Driscoll's authority. He fired Gen. Randy George, Driscoll's widely respected chief of staff, along with two other senior military officials last week — a move that stunned defense officials while the U.S. is actively engaged in war against Iran.
George is a decorated combat veteran who deployed in support of Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. His firing prompted some Republicans to publicly rally to his defense — a potential embarrassment for Hegseth.
The ouster has shaken GOP lawmakers who have largely backed Hegseth despite mounting scandals. "There's concern about the state and health of DoW going forward, if you get rid of good — really good — generals for no reason, and therefore they have concerns about Hegseth himself," one former official said, using the administration's preferred term "Department of War" for the Pentagon.
Driscoll, by contrast, has earned bipartisan praise. Among the three service secretaries — heads of the Army, Navy and Air Force — Driscoll is doing the best job, according to a Democratic congressional aide.
The White House has explicitly told Hegseth he cannot fire Driscoll, forcing the Defense Secretary to pursue a more subtle strategy of sabotage. "He sees that Driscoll is a natural successor to him," one ex-official explained, adding that Hegseth is attempting to sideline and undercut Driscoll through proxy attacks.
Beyond George's firing two months ago, Hegseth also purged Col. Dave Butler, another one of Driscoll's top advisers.
"It's a way for him to … look, I'm going to signal that I'm in charge of your people. I'm going to try to undermine your leadership," the official said. Hegseth is "just trying to knock the Army down a few pegs so that he feels safer."